Active Grille Shutters

[techmattNC]

I’m wanting to upgrade the intercooler.

How can I know if these mini blinds can be removed in my climate? I’m in the middle of NC. It’s not the the North Pole, but we do get snow/ice.


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[mwinn]

I’m wanting to upgrade the intercooler.

How can I know if these mini blinds can be removed in my climate? I’m in the middle of NC. It’s not the the North Pole, but we do get snow/ice.


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South NC here. I just left them in. Not sure if they ever spend much time closed. Someone correct me if over simplifying it. If you do take them out only remove the shutters not the assembly. Leave everything plugged in

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I’m wanting to upgrade the intercooler.

How can I know if these mini blinds can be removed in my climate? I’m in the middle of NC. It’s not the the North Pole, but we do get snow/ice.


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Why would you want to do this?

South NC here. I just left them in. Not sure if they ever spend much time closed. Someone correct me if over simplifying it. If you do take them out only remove the shutters not the assembly. Leave everything plugged in

Yes, unless codes will show.

 

[techmattNC]

Why would you want to do this?

Well, the OEM intercooler is puny, and a larger intercooler is a very popular upgrade for the Explorer ST.

Removing the grille shutters is thought to allow more airflow.


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[2020FordRaptor]

Well, the OEM intercooler is puny, and a larger intercooler is a very popular upgrade for the Explorer ST.

Removing the grille shutters is thought to allow more airflow.


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First off the stock intercooler is fine for stock power numbers. I think I would need some rock solid numbers for removing the shutters. I wouldn't mess too much on grille shutters, I dont think it is worth the trouble, and plus there is a reason Ford put them there. I do not think you will see a difference.

 

[blackdog]

Removing the shutters will generate error codes.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Removing the shutters will generate error codes.

It will only generate codes if you remove the whole assmembly. If you just remove the shutters, it wont.

 

[STJIM]

Living in S/W Fl. I removed them when installing whipple IC. It did throw a code but after clearing it all has been good for over 6,000 miles.

 

[mycbtech]

I’m wanting to upgrade the intercooler.

How can I know if these mini blinds can be removed in my climate? I’m in the middle of NC. It’s not the the North Pole, but we do get snow/ice.


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the reason for the shutters is the allow for the car to warm up to operating temperature while staying closed. once it reaches optimal temp it then opens them up.

should it warm up without them open? absolutely! will it take longer in an enviroment that has cold winters? absolutely! Are they necessary? meh, not really. Vehicles have warmed up just fine in Fargo ND for the last 100 years without automatic shutters. if the fins are removed without removing the motor there is generally not any codes that will pop up.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

the reason for the shutters is the allow for the car to warm up to operating temperature while staying closed. once it reaches optimal temp it then opens them up.

should it warm up without them open? absolutely! will it take longer in an enviroment that has cold winters? absolutely! Are they necessary? meh, not really. Vehicles have warmed up just fine in Fargo ND for the last 100 years without automatic shutters. if the fins are removed without removing the motor there is generally not any codes that will pop up.

They arent necessary vut they help the engine warm up faster, putting less wear and tear on the engine parts. I dont see the point to this mod as I cant see a differwnce that is worth it.

 

[TMac]

They arent necessary vut they help the engine warm up faster, putting less wear and tear on the engine parts. I dont see the point to this mod as I cant see a differwnce that is worth it.

I'd like to point out that the grill shutters aren't used to "help the engine warm up faster". That is the job of the thermostat. In fact, until the engine warms up enough to allow the thermostat to open and send coolant to the radiator, the radiator doesn't perform any function at all.

 

[Blkbyrd]

I'd like to point out that the grill shutters aren't used to "help the engine warm up faster". That is the job of the thermostat. In fact, until the engine warms up enough to allow the thermostat to open and send coolant to the radiator, the radiator doesn't perform any function at all.

Sorry for commenting on such an old post but it came up in my reading about the active shutters on these cars. Shutters will absolutely help the car warm up faster. Closing off the engine bay from exterior air in any amount will help to keep more warm air in the bay therefore allowing both the engine and componentry to warm quicker even if it is a minor amount. The more important aspect of the shutters though is the aerodynamic effects that it has. Warming things up is a small additional advantage that they provide.

 

[WildWeasel86]

Sorry for commenting on such an old post but it came up in my reading about the active shutters on these cars. Shutters will absolutely help the car warm up faster. Closing off the engine bay from exterior air in any amount will help to keep more warm air in the bay therefore allowing both the engine and componentry to warm quicker even if it is a minor amount. The more important aspect of the shutters though is the aerodynamic effects that it has. Warming things up is a small additional advantage that they provide.

I have used Forscan to keep an eye on the shutters in my 2022 King Ranch. Interesting thing I found out was when the outside temperature is below about 37 degrees F, the shutters are commanded to be at 45% open!! I would have expected them to stay shut during engine warm-up. I also noticed that if the outside temperature is below 37 degrees F, the shutters don't move at all off the 45% open setting. Only when it gets close to 40 degrees F do the shutters go into "active" mode (shutting down to about 10% at highway speeds. I thought this was odd, but I have confirmed it several times.